DIRECTION›towards the direction behind you: She took a couple of steps backwards.He fell backwards off the stool.
EARLIER›towards an earlier time or an earlier stage of development: Let's start with your most recent job and work backwards.
OPPOSITE ORDER›in the opposite order to what is usual: "Erehwon" is "nowhere" spelled backwards.
WRONG WAY(also UKback to front)›with the part that is usually at the front at the back: You've got your skirt on backwards.
backwards and forwardsUK(UK/USback and forth)›in one direction then the opposite way and back again many times: I have to drive backwards and forwards between here and Ipswich every day.